Feeding habits of Visayan leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori) in sugarcane fields of Negros Occidental, Philippines

摘要

The Visayan leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori) is a small wild felid of the Negros-Panay faunal region of the Philippines. In Negros Occidental, many individuals wander into sugarcane fields and game fowl farms due to the declining forests, causing locals to believe that leopard cats eat sugarcane or prey on chicks. This study was conducted to determine the actual feeding habits of Visayan leopard cats through scat analysis. The cuticular and medullary patterns of hair from 25 scats collected from May to October 2009 were analyzed to identify prey species. Results suggest that there are no defined areas where leopard cat scats and scats from other animals are found. The first scats were collected in July, increasing until October while none was collected in May and June. Results suggest that the presence of Visayan leopard cats in sugarcane fields is influenced by the growth of sugarcane which attracts rodents. The main prey species consumed by Visayan leopard cats were Mus musculus (96%), Rattus exulans (96%), Rattus argentiventer (64%) and Rattus tanezumi (32%) concurring with many studies that small mammals are the main prey items of leopard cats. Also, results showed that Visayan leopard cats do not eat birds or plant matter exclusively, contrary to local belief.